Baseball game board



Oct. 1, 1963 H. E. GRAY 3,105,688

BASEBALL GAME BOARD 7 Filed Oct. 18, 1960 ATTORN EX.

United States Patent 3,105,688 BASEBALL GAME BOARD Howard E. Gray, 12%Spruce St, Toronto, ()ntario, Canada Filed Oct. 18, 1960, Ser. No.63,323 1 Claim. (Cl. 273-93) This invention relates to a game board fora baseball game.

Heretofore baseball game boards have not provided adequately for thesimulation of the 'wide variety of types of plays and situationsexperienced in an actual baseball game. Further in playing from fixedinstructions there is normally either an undesirable complexity in themechanics of playing the game or a predictability of the next play whichdetracts from the suspense and authenticity of the game.

The object of this invention is to provide a simply construetedinexpensive baseball game board capable of simulating an actual baseballgame in variety and sequence of play and suspense having simpleoperative steps.

Broadly the invention comprises an upper disc and a lower disc centrallyrotatably attached to each other about an axis, said lower disc havingan annular pitch instruction band, an annular type instruction band andan annular play instruction band, each band being divided radially intoequidimensional instruction segments one number of the group of numbersfrom 1 to 6 in each pitch segment, pitch instructions in each pitchsegment, type instructions in each type segment and play instructions ineach play segment, said pitch instructions directing at least one of akind of pitch, a play dependent on the number of batters out in theinning, a hit dependent on type instructions, a hit dependent on playinstructions, and a hit dependent on the number of batters out in theinning, said type instructions directing at least one of a catch, a kindof hit, and the advance of baserunners, said play instructions directingat least one of a kind of pitch, a kind of hit, a kind of play upon ahit, and an advance of baserunners, said upper disc having a pitchwindow, a type window and a play window each positioned therein tofollow its corresponding band and to overlie a corresponding segment onrotation.

Further said lower disc has a plurality of solid colour bands eachhaving spaced, minor radial contrasting segments therein and four seriesof spaced contrasting marks, each series having a different radius aboutsaid axis, and said upper disc has a representation of a baseball parkthereon having base windows at each of the four bases, saidrepresentation being positioned eccentrically to said axis, thedistances from the axis to the base windows each being equal to one ofthe radii of said series of marks and a plurality of spaced apertures insaid upper disc in both fair and foul territory inside and outside ofthe park, each being a distance from said axis equal to the radius ofone of said colour bands.

The invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the game board;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the lower disc of the game board; and

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevation view of the game board.

The game board comprises a lower disc 3 and an upper disc .2. The upperdisc is rotatably mounted on the lower disc about a central axis 5 as byChicago screw 4. The upper disc 2 may be polygonal as shown and may haveat least one edge portion 2a extending outwardly beyond the edge oflower disc 3 to provide a grip for manually rotating the upper disc 2.

The lower disc has three annular instruction bands concentric about axis5: a pitch instruction band 6, a type Patented Get. 1, 19%3 instructionband 7 and a play instruction band 8. Each band is divided radially intoa plurality of corresponding segments: pitch segments 9, type segments10 and play segments '11. The lower disc also has a plurality of annularcolour bands 12 concentric about axis -5, each having at least oneradial contrasting colour segment 13-. The contrast segments 13 areirregularly spaced. Further, the lower disc has four series ofcontrasting coloured marks 14: second series 15, third series 16, firstseries 17 and home series 18. In each series the contrast marks 14 areirregularly spaced on the circumference of a circle centered on axis 5.

The upper disc 2 carries a representation of a baseball park, havingfoul lines 19, infield 20 outfield 21 and outfield fence 22. Aperturesare cut through upper disc 2 in the base positions providing first baseaperture 23, second base aperture 24, third base aperture 25 and homeplate aperture 26. The infield 20 is positioned eccentrically to axis 5so that upon rotation of upper disc 2 the first base aperture 23 exposesthe first series 17 of the contrast marks 14 on lower disc 3. Similarlythe apertures 24-, 25 and 26 expose series 15, 16 and 18, respectively.Further the upper disc 2 has cut therethrough a plurality of hitapertures 27 preferably circular to represent a baseball. The hitapertures are scattered in both fair and foul territory on both sides ofthe outfield fence 22. The distance from each hit aperture 27 to theaxis 5 is equal to the radius of one of the colour bands 12 on the lowerdisc 3. The ball park is preferably coloured green to represent grassand the colour bands are green. Thus unless a hit aperture 27 over-liesa contrast colour segment 13 the field will appear to be a solid colour.

l The upper disc has, cut therethrough, three windows, a pitch window28, a type window 29' and aplay window 36. The Windows are so positionedas to each expose a complete pitch segment 9, type segment 10* and playsegment 11, respectively.

The upper disc may be provided with a protective clear plastic plate 31overlying at least the central portion thereof and the windows 28, 29and 30. The plate may be fastened to: disc -2 adjacent the edges ofoverlapping edge portions 6 so as not to interfere with rotation. Theupper disc may be provided with progress marking areas for balls 32,strikes 33, runs 34 and outs 35', each having numbered positiondesignations 36 for a marker. A scoreboard 37 may be provided preferablyon fence 22 having squares 38 for marking the number of runs gained ineach inning. The plastic plate 31 may have an abraded portion 38 thereofoverlying the scoreboard which can be marked with a pencil and readilyerased.

In each pitch segment 9 there is one number, 39', of the group ofnumbers from 1 to 6. In about half of the pitch segments there is apitch symbol 4 0 which designates a class of plays. in each pitchsegment there is a pitch instruction 41 which directs at least one of: akind of pitch, a kind of pitch dependent on the number of batters out inan inning, a hit dependent on type instructions, a hit dependent on playinstructions and a hit dependent on the number of batters out in aninning.

In each type segment 10 there is a type instruction 42 directing atleast one of a catch, a kind of hit, and the advance of baserunners. Ineach play segment 11 there is a play instruction 43 directing at leastone of: a kind of pitch, a kind of hit, a kind of play upon a hit andthe advance of baserunner.

By way of example, a suitable group of pitch instructions 41 is asfollows, designated with reference to the number 39 and including pitchsymbols 40 appearing in the same pitch segment 9:

1 Ball is hit to left side, check field, then roll and check Type.!

3,105,ess

2 Ball is hit to left side, check field, then roll and check .3. its aBALL almost into the dirt.

.4. If none or 2 out its a STRIKE.

Wide.

if none or 2 out pitch is a BALL-low. 'If 1 out roll and check The Play.

.6. Just nn'ssed the outside corner for a BALL.

1 If none or 2 out its a scratch hit, turn to next No. 3 and check Type.If 1 out roll and check The Play.

2 Ball is hit to right side, check field, then roll and check Type.

B3B If none out its a BALL-high. If 1 or 2 out, roll and check The Play.

.4. If none or 2 out its a BALL too low. If one out go directly to ThePlay now showing.

.5. Fast ball, STRIKE all the way.

6 Ball is hit to right side, check field, then roll and check Type.

1 If regular batter pitch is a BALL. If pinch-hitter ball is hit, godirectly to Type now showing.

.2. If batter is waiting out the pitch, pitch is a STRIKE- called. Ifbatter is hitting away turn to next No. 5 and check The Flay. 7

B3B If non or 2 out-its a BALL too low. If one out roll and check ThePlay.

.4. If 1 or 2 out pitch is a STRIKE. If none out go directly to The Playnow showing.

5 Ball is hit to right side, check field, then roll and check Type.

6 Ball is hit to left side, check field, then roll and check Type-s,

.1. Curve ball, just missed the inside corner for a BALL.

.2. If none or 2 out pitch is a STRIKE called. Ii 1 out pitch is a BALLWide.

B3B Its a foul tip. If on 3rd strike, turn tonext No. 5

and check The Play.

.4. If batter is Waiting out the pitch, pitch is a STRIKE. If batter ishitting away go directly to The Play now showing.

5 If 1 or 2 out its a BALL.

check The Play.

.6. If batter is waiting out the pitch, its a called STRIKE. If batteris Hitting away turn to next No. 1 and check The Play.

If 1 out its a BALL If none out roll and A suitable group of typeinstructions 42 is as follows, being exposed in an order correspondingto the list of pitch instructions:

Ball is hit over outfielders head then bounces off sign to thescoreboard-Runners (if any) all score, and batter pulls up at 3rd with aTRIPLE.

Its a FLY BALL. Roll the die-if roll is 1,2, 3, 4 or 5, the fly ball iscaught. If now 2 or less out runners (if any) all hold on the play. Ifroll is 6, ball is not caught, Runners (if any) a'l-l score. Batter safeat 2nd base.

Its a GROUND BALL. If fair, runners (if any) at 2nd and 3rd SCORE.Runner (if any) at 1st SAFE at 3rd. If you wish to try and score him,roll and check him at home. Batter SAFE at 1st and holds there.

Its a GROUND BALL. If fairruntners (if any) all advance one base onlydue to fast throw-in from the outfield. Batter SAFE at lst base.

Its a FLY BALL. If foulit lands in the stands.

fairthe fly ball is caught. the play.

Its a GROUND BALL. If fair and regular batter is up, runners (if any) at2nd and 3rd score. Runner (if any) at lst Safe at 3rd. Batter safe at1st. If fair and pinch hitter is up runners (if any) all score. Battersafe at 3rd.

If Runners (if any) hold on fairthe fly ball is caught. If now 2 or lessare out runners (if any) all advance one base safely after the catch.

Its a ELY BALL that is caught. If this does not make 3 out, runners (ifany) hold on the play.

Its a GROUNDER. Forced runners only advance 1 base. Roll and check (onthe I roll); the forced runners at the next base and the batter at lst.If side is retired on the play no run scored will count.

Its a FLY BALL that is caught.

3 out runners (if any) hold on the play.

Its a Texas Leaguer. All runners advance one base safely and batter issafe at lst. If runner now on 2nd you may try to score him :on the play.If you do roll and check him at home, and see how he made out. I

Ball is lined at the lst baseman who catches it. If runner at lst baseand this does not make 3 out roll and check this runner at 1st and seeif he was caught oif It's a CLEAN SINGLE. Runners {if any) at 2nd and3rd score. Runner (if any) at 1st safe at'3rd. Batter safe at lst base.

its a FLY BALL that is caught. If this does not make 3 out runners (ifany) hold on the play.

Its a FLY BALL that is caught. It now 2 or less out roll the die. If theroll is l or 2its a short fiy-runners' (if any) all held onthe play. Ifthe rollis 3, 4, 5 or 6 nunners (if any) all advance one base safelyafte the catch. i

I-ts a HOT LINER that right fielder runs in for and catches. If not 3rdout runners (if any) hold on the play but if you have a runner at 3rdyou may try to score him after the catch. If you do roll and check himat home plate.

If regular batten-its a CLEAN SINGLE. Runners (it Its a GROUND BALL. Iffairits a CLEAN SING LE.

Runners (if any) at 2nd and 3rd score. Runners (if any) at 1st safe at3nd. Batter safe at 1st base.

Its a FLY BALL that is caught. If this does not make 3 out runners (ifany) hold on the play.

Its a GROUND BALL. If fair-forced runners only advance one base. nextbase and the batter at first'on the one roll.

Its a FLY BALL that is caught. If this does not make 3 out runners (ifany) hold on the play.

Its a LINE DRIVE at 3rd baseman who catches it.; If this does not make 3out and you have a runner at 3rdbase, roll and check this runner at 3rdto see if he was caught off the bag. Other runners (if any) hold on theplay.

A suitable group of play instructions 43 is as hollows being exposed inan order corresponding to the list' of pitch and type instructions:

If regular batter is nppiteh is a BALL. If pinchhitforced or simplytries to score roll and check him at home plate.

If this does not make.

the bag after the catch. Other runners (if any) hold Roll and checkforced runners at Batter lines ball at short-stop who catches it. Ifanyone on base he then throws to whatever base the team in the fielddecides. Roll and check runner at this base to see if he was caught offthe bag after the catch. Other runners (if any) hold their bag safely onthe play.

The pitch is a BALL too wide and if this does not make Ball 4 and 1 ormore on base the catcher makes a wild throw to base and all runnersadvance one base safely.

Its a LONG DRIVE to centre. Check the field. If the ball clears thefence its a home run. If the ball lands in centre-field roll and checktype.

its a long hard smash to left. It looks like a If bases are empty pitchis a ball low. If one or more on base it is a balk by the pitcher. Allrunners. advance 1 base safely, count remains the same on the batter.

Its a looper hit over 1st base (check field). Roll the die-If l, 2, 3 or4 come up the ball is caught. Batter is out. Runners (if any) all hold.If 5 or 6 come up runners (if any) all advance 1 base safely. Battersafe at 1st.

Pitch is swung on and missed for a strike. The catchers return throwbounces from the pitchers glove. Runners (if any) at 1st or 1st and 2ndreach the next base safely. Butts runner at 3rd and he is forced orsimply tries to score. Roll and check him at home.

Pitch is a strike that catcher juggles but finally catches. If this doesnot make 3 out and 1st only or 1st and 3rd only are occupied the runnerat 1st steals 2nd, runner at 3rd (if any) holds on the play.

Its a long hard smash to left. It looks like a Batter lines the ball to1st baseman who catches it. If this makes only 2 out and there is arunner at 1st, roll and check him at 1st base and see if he was caughtoff the bag after the catch. Other runners (if any) hold on the play.

Batter hits ball to infield. If lst base is occupied the side is retiredon the play. If 1st base is empty the batter is thrown out at 1st base.Runners (if any) hold on the play.

Its a long, long FLY to right. goingits over the fence for a Pitch isswung on and missed for a strike. The ball bounces from the catchersglove. If it is the 3rd strike, batter is out unless lst base is emptyand 2 are out. In this case roll and check batter at 1st base. Runners(if any) hold on the play whether 3rd strike or not.

Roll the die. If the number you roll is 1, 2, 3, or 4 pitch is a BALL.If roll is 5 or 6 pitch is a STRIKE.

The ball is popped up. Roll the die. If roll is 1 or 2, pop fly iscaught, batter is out, runners (if any) hold on the play. If the numberyou roll is 3, 4, 5 or 6, its a foul pop not caught.

If regular batter is up batter is hit by pitched ball and goes to 1stbase. Forced runners only advance one base safely. Other runners (ifany) hold on the play. If pinch hitter is up turn to next No. 3 andcheck The Play.

It first base is occupied batter hits into double play and side isretired. If first base is empty batter hits a double. Runners (if any)all score. Batter safe at second.

Batter lines ball at pitcher who catches it. If anyone on base pitchermay throw to any base he chooses to try and catch the runner off base.Roll and check the runner at base he throws to and see if 'he got backin time. Other runners (if any) hold.

its a long, long fly to right. I-ts going-goinggoingits over the fencefor a If regular batter is up, the pitch is fouled off into the screen.If pinch hitterball is hit over 2nd base Its going-goin 6 check field)for a clean single. Runners (if any) all advance 2 bases. Batter safe at1st.

Roll the die. If the number you roll is 1, 2, 3 or 4 the foul tip iscaught. Batter is out. If the number you roll is 5 or 6, the foul tip isnot caught and the count remains the same on the batter.

Its a long drive to centre. Check the field. If the ball clears thefence its a home run. If the ball lands in centre-field, roll and checktype.

To play the game the batter states whether he will hit at or wait outthe pitch. He then rolls a die. He turns the upper disc 2 clockwise tothe first number 39 corresponding to the number on the die. If he iswaiting out the pitch he turns to the first corresponding number 39having a pitch symbol 4%. The pitch symbol designates strike and ballinstructions. The batter reads and follows the pitch instruction 41.Where these instructions include check fiel the batter looks at thefield for the position where a contrasting colour segment 13 is exposedthrough a hit aperture 27 to determine whether the hit is fair or foul.Where a type or play instruction 42 or 43 is directed and checkbase-runners or the like is directed then after moving the upper disc asrequired by the instructions he looks at the base apertures 23, 2.4, 25and 26 for a contrast mark 14 at the base to which the runners shouldhave advanced. A mark 1 may designate a runner safely advanced to thenew base. Alternately, for more realism, the contrast marks 14 mayappear as White areas in a circle of'representations of a baseball. Theexposure of a white area will appear as a white base bag and a baseballwill indicate that the ball reached the base before the runner puttinghim out. Markers may be positioned over each base, each marker having asymbol on one side which may be turned up when there is a runner on thatbase. To check the baserunncrs after a hit the marker at the next baseis raised and if the runner is safe the marker is replaced with therunner symbol up. Similarly, for realism the contrasting colour segments13 may contain a representation of a baseball which will beappropriately displayed through a hit aperture 27.

The game may include a further variety of plays by the provision ofoptional instructions which may be provided on the board or on aseparate card allowing the batter in any given situation to attempt oneof a group of specific plays including a bunt attempt, an attempt to hita long ball to advance runners, an attempt to steal a base and allowingthe pitcher to attempt to pick oil a runner at first base. By way ofexample, a suitable set of instructions is as follows:

Play Card You may use any of the following plays ir" 1) You complete thelast roll you made at the wheel before coming here.

(2) You notify your opponent which play you intend to try.

Bunt Attempt Roll the dielf the number you roll is Pitch is a BALL wideBall is bunted FOUL Pitch is a BALL high Ball is bunted FAlR-Turn theWheel to the first number that has a B on each side of it, then advanceany runner or runners you wish one base. Now roll and check the batterat first base and all the runners you advanced at the base you movedthem to. Check all this on the one roll. 5. Ball is popped upRoll thedie again. If roll is l, 2, 3 or 4-its a FOUL pop NOT caught. 5 or 6 theball is. CAUGHT. Batter is OUT and runners hold on the play. 6. Pitch isa BALL too low.

7 Attempt at Hitting Long Ball to Advance Runners Roll the die-If thenumber you roll is 1. Ball is popped upRoll the die again. If roll is-lor 2-FLYBALL is CAUGHT and Batter is OUT.

Runners all hold on the play. 3, 4, 5 or 6-I ts a foul pop NOT CAUGHT.2. Pitch is a BALL outside. 3. Pitch is a STRIKE right in the groove. 4.Ball is hit in the air to the outfield. Roll the die again.

If the number you roll is 1, 2 or 3 the ball is CAUGHT.

on the play.

4 Runner at 3rd SCORES after the catch. Other runners all ADVANCE ONEbase SAFELY alter the catch.

5 and Regular batter is up the fly ball is caught. All runners hold onthe play.

5 and Pinch Hitter is up, the ball lands safely for a Triple. Runnersall Score. Batter Safe at Third.

6 and NONE is out Fly Ball is caughtRunner at THIRD is OUT trying toscore after the catch. Other runners ADVANCE ONE base safely after thecatch.

6 and ONE is out the ball lands SAFELY. Runner at THIRD SCORES. Otherrunners all ADVANCE ONE base SAFELY. Batter SAFE at FIRST.

5. Pitch is a BALL inside.

6. And none is out Ball is FOULED OFF into the stands and someone 'getsa souvenir. If one out Foul Fly is caught. All runner Hold on the play.

Runners HOLD Attempt at Stealing a Base Roll the die and follow therolls as below- If attempting to steal SECOND when third base is OC-CUPIED.

If roll is 1 or 2 Runner is OUT at SECOND. If roll is 3, 4, 5 or 6Runner is SAFE at SECOND. I-f attempting to steal SECOND when THIRD baseis EMPTY If roll is 1, 2 or 3 Runner is OUT at SECOND. If roll is 4, 5or 6 Runner is SAFE at SECOND. It attempting to steal THIRD.

If roll is 1, 2, 3 or 4 Runner is OUT at THIRD. If roll is 5 or 6 Runneris SAFE at THIRD. If attempting to steal HOME.

If roll is l, 2, 3, 4 or 5 Runner is OUT at HOME If roll is 6 Runner isSAFE at HOME.

Pitcher Attempts to Pick Runner at First Base Roll the die. If thenumber you roll is 1, 2, 3, 4 or The runner gets back to the bag intime. 6, Roll the die AGAlN.If the number you roll is 1, 2, 3 or 4Thepitcher manages .to pick ed the Other runners Hold on the play.

It will be apparent that the present invention closely simulates theplay of an actual baseball game with simplicity and yet a maximum ofsuspense providing for determination of kinds of plays 'by the playersto involve skill as well as chance.

I claim:

A baseball game board comprising a lower disc, an

upper disc surmounting said lower disc, and a pivot pin extendingthrough and securing said discs together, each said disc being rotatablewith respect to the other of said discs about the aXis of said pivotpin, said upper disc having therein first, second, third and home baseapertures second base aperture being located at the intersection of twoperpendiculars of said respective foul lines, said perpendicularspassing through said first and third base apertures, respectively, saidaxis being located at a different distance from each said base apertureand within the square defined by straight lines joinin g said baseapertures and ofiset from the diagonals of said square, said fence beingspaced from the adjacent edge of said upper disc, a

plurality of spaced short field apertures disposed in said upper disceach at substantially the same distance from said axis, a plurality ofspaced long field apertures disposed in said upper disc on both sides ofsaid foul lines each at substantially the same distance from said am's,a.

plurality of spaced over the fence apertures disposed in said upper discall between said fence and said adjacent upper disc edge and on bothsides of said foul lines, each at substantially the same distance fromsaid axis, and three instruction windows being a pitch window,- a typewindow and a play window disposed in said upper disc, each at adifferent distance from said axis, three radially spaced annular colourbands on said lower disc concentric about said axis, each underlying oneof said plurality of short field apertures, said plurality of long fieldapertures and said plurality of overdhe-ience apertures, and each ofsaid bands having a plurality of irregularly spaced hit indicia ofcontrasting colour thereon, dour series of irregularly spaced runnerindicia on said lower disc, each series being positioned between saidaxis and the short field colour band on a concentric circle registeringwith one of said base apertures and three annular instruction bandsbeing a pitch, a type and a play instruction band on said lower disceach concentric about said axis and registering with one of saidinstruction windows and positioned between two of said colour bands andbeing divided radially into a common number of equal instruction segmerits, said number being a multiple of 6, a segment identifying indiciain each segment of one of said instruction bands, a strike-ball class ofplay symbol, in a plurality of segments of said one of said instructionbands, and instructions in each of said instruction segments.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS LE. A

